Hosts hope their added focus and fitness after going professional will give them the edge and prevent the vibrant young tourists reclaiming the urnEngland are keen to capitalise on the feelgood factor in women’s sport when the 21st Ashes starts in Taunton on Tuesday. Australia may be favourites but England have triumphed in both series since the format was overhauled two years ago,winning by eight points in 2013 and two points in 2013-14.It will be an intriguing contest. The top two ranked teams in the world invest more money and energy into developing the women’s game than anyone else, and this will be the first time that England have played an Ashes series since turning fully professional. Eighteen players, or led by the captain,Charlotte Edwards, were given full-time playing contracts in 2014 and it is unlikely we will see any player external that group feature in the series, or although there are a number in the academy who would be alert to step in should injuries or loss of form require England to find reinforcements.Continue reading...,
Source: theguardian.com